Spine Care in Austin, TX
Expert Spine Specialist & Comprehensive Back Care in Austin, TX
Don't Let Neck & Back Pain Hold You Back
Your spine is the central support structure for your body—protecting your spinal cord and allowing you to bend, twist, move, and live actively. When spine pain, numbness, or weakness strikes, even simple tasks like sitting, walking, working, or sleeping can become overwhelming challenges.
At Austin Orthopedic Institute, we provide comprehensive spine care tailored to your specific needs—ranging from non-surgical spine management to complex reconstructive and minimally invasive spinal procedures.
Signs You Should Seek Professional Spine Treatment
Schedule an evaluation if you experience:
Persistent neck or lower back pain that doesn’t improve with rest
Numbness, tingling, or weakness radiating into your arms, hands, legs, or feet
Sharp or burning pain travelling down your leg (sciatica)
Difficulty walking, standing upright, or keeping your balance
Pain or stiffness that interferes with work, exercise, or daily activities
Nighttime neck or back pain that wakes you from sleep
Symptoms following a recent traumatic injury or accident
Ongoing pain or unresolved symptoms after a prior spine surgery
Conditions We Treat
Neck (Cervical)
- Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (ACDF) – Relieving nerve or spinal cord pressure by removing a damaged disc and stabilizing the cervical vertebrae.
- Cervical Disc Arthroplasty / Replacement – Motion-preservation surgery that replaces a damaged cervical disc with an artificial device to maintain natural neck mobility.
- Posterior Cervical Laminectomy and Fusion – Decompressing the spinal cord from the back of the neck and stabilizing the spine to alleviate severe stenosis.
- Laminoplasty – Expanding the spinal canal from behind to relieve widespread spinal cord pressure while preserving native bone and motion.
- Cervical Foraminotomy – Minimally invasive decompression targeting the individual nerve root pathways to treat radiating arm pain and numbness.
Mid-Back (Thoracic)
- Thoracic Disc Herniation – Relieving pressure from damaged mid-back discs pressing against nerve roots.
- Thoracic Spinal Stenosis – Expanding narrowed spinal canals to alleviate middle back and trunk discomfort.
- Kyphosis & Structural Deformities – Reconstructive alignment strategies to correct abnormal forward curvature of the spine.
- Mid-Back Degenerative Disc Disease – Comprehensive therapies to manage age-related disc breakdown and localized inflammation.
- Thoracic Vertebral Compression Fractures – Targeted stabilization options to restore bone height and reduce acute fracture pain.
Lower-Back (Lumbar)
- Robotic MIS Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion (TLIF) – Advanced robotic-guided, minimally invasive fusion to stabilize unstable vertebrae with minimal tissue disruption.
- MIS Lumbar Laminectomy – Minimally invasive removal of lamina bone to relieve nerve compression causing leg pain, heaviness, or numbness from spinal stenosis.
- MIS Lumbar Microdiscectomy – Targeted, small-incision removal of herniated disc material pressing on spinal nerves to relieve severe sciatica.
- Lateral Lumbar Interbody Fusion (LLIF) – Accessing the lumbar spine through the side to bypass major back muscles and restore disc height.
- Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (ALIF) – Front-approach fusion providing direct access to lower lumbar discs for optimal stabilization and alignment.
- Lumbar Disc Arthroplasty / Replacement – Replacing a degenerated lower back disc with an artificial joint to relieve disc pain while preserving lumbar motion.
Deformity & Reconstructive Spine Care
- Deformity Correction and Instrumented Fusion – Complex reconstructive surgery utilizing advanced instrumentation to correct structural spinal imbalances such as scoliosis, kyphosis, or severe post-surgical revision cases.
Our Approach to Care
Accurate Diagnosis
Using physical examination, advanced imaging (X-rays, MRI, CT scans), and diagnostic nerve studies, we pinpoint the exact anatomical source of your symptoms.
Conservative Treatment First
Whenever possible, we start with evidence-based non-surgical options including:
Targeted physical therapy and core strengthening
Postural ergonomics and activity modifications
Anti-inflammatory medication management
Therapeutic epidural and facet joint injections
Surgical Solutions When Needed
When conservative measures are insufficient, we offer state-of-the-art surgical options with an emphasis on motion preservation:
Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery (MIS) – Smaller incisions, less muscle disruption, reduced pain, and faster recovery
Robotic-Assisted Surgery – Enhanced surgical precision and optimal placement of instruments
Motion Preservation Tech – Cervical and lumbar disc replacement to preserve natural movement over fusion
Reconstructive Deformity Correction – Restoring alignment and balance for complex structural conditions
Comprehensive Rehabilitation
Dr. David P. Foley:
Fellowship-Trained Orthopedic Spine Specialist
For complex spine conditions, we are proud to have Dr. David P. Foley leading our spine program. Dr. Foley completed prestigious fellowship training at the Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) in New York—consistently ranked as the top orthopedic hospital in the world—and trained under national authorities in cervical spine surgery and disc arthroplasty at Indiana University.
Dr. Foley specializes in minimally invasive spine surgery (MIS), cervical disc replacement, robotic spine procedures, and complex deformity correction. His philosophy prioritizes preserving natural motion whenever possible, minimizing post-operative pain, and delivering personalized, patient-centered care from diagnosis to recovery.
Dr. Foley’s Specialized Procedures (Austin)
Neck / Cervical Spine:
- Cervical Disc Arthroplasty / Replacement (Motion Preservation)
- Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (ACDF)
- Posterior Cervical Laminectomy, Fusion, & Laminoplasty
- Cervical Foraminotomy
Back / Lumbar Spine:
- Robotic MIS Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion (TLIF)
- MIS Lumbar Laminectomy & Microdiscectomy
- Lateral & Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (LLIF / ALIF)
- Lumbar Disc Arthroplasty / Replacement
Deformity & Complex Reconstruction:
- Spinal Deformity Correction & Revision Surgery
What to Expect at Your Appointment
Before Your Visit
Take advantage of our complimentary MRI, X-ray, and CT scan review service. Send us your existing imaging, and one of our board-certified surgeons will personally review them to determine if an office visit or specialized consultation is recommended.
During Your Visit
Conservative Care First – Most spinal conditions begin with structured, non-surgical treatment plans tailored to your lifestyle.
Personalized Surgical Planning – If surgery is indicated, we utilize advanced pre-operative robotic navigation and 3D planning.
Coordinated Recovery – Guided follow-up care and personalized physical therapy to ensure optimal outcomes.
Frequently Asked Questions
No problem at all! If your provider determines you would benefit from Dr. Foley’s specialized surgical expertise, we will facilitate a seamless appointment for you to see him in Austin. Your medical records, notes, and imaging are fully shared across our system, so you won’t need to repeat tests or start over.
A disc replacement (arthroplasty) removes the damaged disc and replaces it with an artificial joint device that preserves natural movement at that segment. A spinal fusion removes the disc and joins two or more vertebrae together so they heal into one solid bone. Dr. Foley evaluates each patient to see if motion preservation (disc replacement) is an appropriate option for their anatomy.
Minimally invasive techniques use smaller incisions, specialized instruments, and dynamic imaging or robotic guidance. This results in less disruption to surrounding muscles and tissue, leading to reduced post-operative pain, lower risk of infection, shorter hospital stays, and quicker return to daily activity.
In most cases, you can book an appointment directly. We also offer complimentary reviews of existing MRIs, X-rays, and CT scans. Our board-certified specialists will review your images and help you evaluate your treatment options.
Recovery varies significantly depending on the specific procedure. Minimally invasive outpatient procedures (like a microdiscectomy or disc replacement) may allow you to return to light activity within a few weeks, while complex deformity reconstructions require structured rehabilitation over several months. Dr. Foley will outline an exact timeline based on your treatment plan.
Please bring your photo ID, insurance card, list of current medications, and any recent imaging CDs (MRI, CT scans, or X-rays) along with the official radiology reports.
Schedule Your Austin Spine Evaluation Today
Take the first step toward lasting pain relief and renewed spinal mobility. Contact our dedicated orthopedic team today to request your comprehensive consultation, submit your existing MRI scans for a complimentary review, or discover how our motion-preserving treatments can help you live comfortably.
Why Choose Austin Orthopedic Institute for Spine Care?
✓ HSS Fellowship-Trained Spine Specialist – Dr. Foley brings elite expertise in motion preservation and minimally invasive spine surgery.
✓ Motion Preservation Focus – Prioritizing disc replacement and tissue-sparing techniques over fusion.
✓ Comprehensive Spine Treatment – Complete treatment from injections and non-surgical therapy to complex reconstruction.
✓ Conservative-First Philosophy – We thoroughly exhaust conservative options before considering surgical solutions.
✓ Complimentary Imaging Review – Have your MRI or CT scan reviewed by our orthopedic specialists prior to your visit.
✓ In-House Physical Therapy – Coordinated rehab program tailored specifically to spinal recovery.
✓ Over 130 Years of Combined Experience – Decades of trusted orthopedic surgical expertise serving Central Texas.
Our Locations
Austin Orthopedic Institute has three locations – Austin, Georgetown, and Marble Falls. All of our providers go to the main office in Austin and our Georgetown location. Only Dr. Hurt visits our Marble Falls satellite location.
Related Services
Hand, Wrist & Elbow Care
Sports Medicine
Orthopedic Trauma
Physical Therapy
Austin Orthopedic Institute surgeons has been proudly serving Central Texas since 2004, providing exceptional orthopedic care with a personal touch. Your injury is unique to you—we treat it that way.